Zoo News

For the first time in eight years, there are tigers born in Rotterdam Zoo. The carers found tiger mum Alia this morning with three cubs. One cub was too weak and died after a short time, but the other two are doing well so far. They have been drinking the milk, which is obviously a good sign.

For Alia, it is the first time she's given birth. The father is fifteen year old Hermes, originally Polish, he has already fathered cubs in 2000 and 2002. Hermes is genetically very important for the European breeding program. In the beginning Alia was terrified of older Hermes. Only later, when Alia was older, her fear went away and in mid February they paired.

Sumatran tigers, such as Hermes and Alia, are very threatened in the wild. At last count in Sumatra there were only 326 counted! In the European breeding program for this subspecies there are approximately one hundred animals in 45 zoos on record. Hence, these cubs are very welcome news. After the first critical days are over, it will be possible for visitors to see the cubs.

The first birth of what is expected to be a wave of births of Squirrel Monkeys happened today. The keepers are very excited of the ones to come as some 20 more births are expected in the coming weeks.

Apenheul is very proud that so many squirrel monkeys are born every year.

Actually, every year a big wave of births takes place. For squirrel monkeys, there is a birth season where in a short space of time, a lot of babies are born.20 more are expected but it is probable that there will be more. Squirrel monkeys deliver in the group, amongst the other monkeys.

This means visitors of Apenheul can see and enjoy the newborns straight away.

On Wednesday April 21 there was a big surprise for the keepers at Bellewaerde Park! Giraffe Simone unexpectedly gave birth to a baby girafje during the night.

The keepers were obviously aware of the pregnancy of Simone, but there was no certainty about the timing of the mating. As such, it was impossible to predict the date of the birth.

The last time Bellewaerde Park was able welcome a baby giraffe was in 2002. For mom Simone and dad Zuri it is their first offspring. Zuri died unexpectedly on Christmas Day 2009 but lives now a bit further in his little offspring. To remember him Bellewaerde Park keepers would like to give Zuri's young a name starting with the letter Z.

A pair of crocodiles were victims of a heat wave at a zoo in Chhattisgarh where the maximum temperature has touched 45 degrees Celsius, officials said on Wednesday.

A postmortem report Wednesday said that male and one female crocodile, both aged about six years who were found dead at Nandan Van zoo on the outskirts of capital Raipur Monday, had died of the searing heat.

"The crocodiles failed to sustain a plus 45 degrees Celsius temperature. The female crocodile was pregnant and all 16 eggs were taken out from her stomach during the post-mortem," Jaikishore Jaria, the veterinary doctor of the zoo, told reporters.

Forest department sources said "poor care of the crocodiles" could also have played a role in their death.

"The zoo had just a pair of crocodiles left and both were kept in open-air water encircled by a cemented platform. During day time, the water turned hot and it looks that this could also be a reason for their death," sources in the department said.

A klipspringer explores the rocky Kopje enclosurevin the Crocodile River in Rotterdam Zoo. This beautiful antilope arrived at Blijdorp Zoo from Artis Zoo. Unfortunately, there is second one as there are only about 5 across Europe. Blijdorp hopes, along with other zoos, to find a mate for Klippie in the future.

He shares his spacious residence with African Spurred Tortoises, hyraxes and various bird species.

He's heavy and he's leggy, he is the new elephant calf at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

The pint-sized pachyderm, still to be named, was born just after midnight on Monday 12 April. One of the tallest babies at Whipsnade, the youngster is more than 3ft tall and weighs a healthy 124kg (almost 20 stone).

First time mother Karishma, age 12, wowed her keepers with her calmness at the overnight birth, which they watched on monitors from a safe distance away.

Deputy team leader Andy Durham, who has known Karishma since she was a baby, said "She surprised us all and was excellent from the word "go". When the calf first came out she just seemed amazed to have her own baby."

The youngster has spent his early days getting to know the other elephants in the herd, including half sister Donna who is nine-months old, while enjoying the Spring sunshine in the seven-acre elephant paddock.

See the baby

Make the most of the sunshine by visiting our not so little bundle of joy. Visitors to ZSL Whipsnade Zoo can see the baby with the rest of our Asian elephant herd. Book tickets now

Adopt the mum

Treat a friend, maybe your mum, by adopting new mum Karishma. They get a free e-ticket to visit mother and baby and you get a warm feeling inside, knowing that you have helped ZSL to continue to conserve endangered animals, including Asian elephants, and their habitats around the world.Find out more about adopting Karishma

Behind the scenes, Cheetah mom Sienna has given birth to three very healthy cubs at Arnhem's Burgers' Zoo. The three young cheetahs didn't leave their quiet and safe environment for the first weeks where they were nurtured by their experienced mother. Under the very watchful eye of Sienna they recently put it their first steps in the outside world, enjoying the spring. The animals are not yet visible to the public.

At 16, 17 and 18 April 2010 the fourth edition of Animal Event will be held in Safari Beekse Bergen Hilvarenbeek. From cat to lion and zebra to horse: Animal Event visitors get to know everything about pets and wild animals. During those days, dogs are allowed on the Animal Event area.

During Animal Event five different squares are set up, where hundreds of animals can be found. Visitors will learn about the care and training of their favorite (domestic) animals. Amidst the wild animals of Safari Beekse Bergen there will be both educational clinics and workshops. There is a Dog Dance workshop - for both the owner and the dog. There will also be clinics run by Olympic dressage rider Imke Schellekens-Bartels and horse whisperer Annemarie van der Toorn. Children can get their face painted to look like their favorite animal in the children's special. Afterwards, both children and adult animal lovers can witness the election of "Cutest dog trick of the Netherlands". Also animal lovers Martin Gaus and Bridget Maasland are speaking at Animal Event. Animal Event visitors who have time left over, can also visit Safaripark Beekse Bergen (31 Beekse Bergen, Hilvarenbeek) for free.

Rhino 'Bull' Dozer bornWhite Rhino Kwanzaa from Burgers' Zoo gave birth to a healthy male on 07 April 2010. The animal over 50 kilos at birth and is named Dozer for his resemblance to a small bulldozer.

Rhino dad Gilou came from Safari Beekse Bergen several years ago to Arnhem to assume his role to mate with the ladies. Rhino births do not take place often, in all european zoos there are about four to white rhinos born in a good year.

Early this morning, a giraffe is born in their new enclosure at Blijdorp Zoo. The baby calf, whose sex is not yet known, was discovered on the first round by the keepers. At the time it was still wet and unstable on its feet.

For mother Marian, who was also born in Blijdorp in 2002, it's her third offspring. The keepers hope that everything will go fine as Marian has not shown to be a very caring mother in the past. Her eldest daughter, Esta, is now in Odense Zoo and her youngest daughter, Cristel, born in July 2008, is still in Blijdorp and was curious to watch. For father Fehari, born in 1999 in Frankfurt Zoo, it is already his eighth young. Rotterdam Zoo now has nine giraffes in the herd. Mother and young can be seen by visitors in last year's newly opened giraffe enclosure.

Now that the winter is over, visitors of Blijdorp Zoo can witness another season of the popular Free Flight Bird Shows. Starting this Easter, there will be daily performances of various species again. These fun and informative presentations are given in a specially built area.

This year, vultures play an important role in many of the Free Flight Performances as part of the theme "Enge Dieren" (Scary Animals) in 2010 . But macaws, ibises, birds of prey, owls and more birds flying over your head. Do not be surprised if suddenly a vulture or a toucan lands next to you or a Seriema tries his best to killl a (rubber) snake dead, just as they would do in the wild.

The area for the Free Flight Shows at the Zoo is built behind the buffalo. Also there is the 'holding' for all birds at the show to participate.

When are the performances:From Easter to autumn, every day at 11.00, 13.30 and 15.00 ( * depending on weather conditions).

The entire program takes about half hour. The stands for the Free Flight Shows can be reached via a path next to the enclosure of the prairie dogs. The gates open 10 minutes before the show starts.

Because of its great success in 2009, nature photographer Jan Vermeer, best known for winter lectures, beautiful books and publications (even in National Geographic) in 2010 another four photo workshops will take place in Burgers' Zoo!

Anyone with a (digital) camera who wants to make better nature photos is welcome, you do not have to be a professional.

ScheduleThe day is divided into an introduction (with a hot drink), practice (in the park), a delicious lunch, again practice and a final presentation and discussion of the best photos by the photographers while enjoying a drink. The program is fully independent and during practice Jan is around for instructions and tips.

You can choose from four dates, however each date has a limited participation of 20. You need to register at least two weeks before the workshop via Burgers Zoo reservation form. Be quick!

Programme 09.00 am Arrival. Reception at the Treetops lodge with coffee or tea and African delights. After that the workshop begins. 12.00 hours Cheetah Luxury Bread Buffet at the Safari Restaurant. 13.00 hrs Continuation of the workshop. You go to the park to put everything learned into practice. 15.00, Return to the Treetops lodge with a drink of your choice. Next Presentation and discussion of the photos. 17.00 hours Departure.

New quarters for three crocodiles will be opened at Sea Life in Scheveningen today. The new residents are dwarf caymans, which come originally from South America. The Sea Life caymans are not yet fully grown, but the males can reach 1.60 metres. Their pen has an area of 36 square metres and has heat lamps, as well as special safety doors to protect the keepers. The caymans will be fed on fish.

An elephant in an Australian zoo has shocked vets by giving birth to a live elephant calf which zoo-keepers believed had died in the womb.

Experts had said the survival of the baby elephant after six days of labour would be "a miracle".

But the male calf was delivered showing signs of life on Wednesday morning and, by the afternoon, took its first steps.

Experts say they think the baby elephant was in a coma in the womb during the labour period.

On Monday, the zoo had said that the calf had died in the womb, after becoming trapped in a position from which a live birth was thought to be impossible. Ultrasound appeared to confirm this diagnosis.

'Amazing news'

"Dedicated keepers reported the amazing news early this morning that the calf had been born and was showing signs of life," said zoo director Cameron Kerr.

He added that he had consulted Berlin-based elephant reproduction expert Thomas Hildebrandt on the unusual outcome.

Golden-headed Lion Tamarins Aurora and Zenden have got twins since 27 January. After 4 months of pregancy is Aurora already swinging around happily. It is normal that both parents participate in the raising of their young.

The babies hold themselves on the back or stomach of one of the parents. Even brothers and sisters are not exempt. Visitors can follow the two newborns sleeping, eating, drinking milk from mummy, hanging on to daddy, their sister or brother. It is a very social animal species. Antwerp Zoo co-ordinates the world-wide breeding programme of this endangered species.

Polar Bear Tania was not pregnant after all. She recently emerged from her winter sleep without newborns.

After long considerations, the European Breeding programme for polar bears came to the conclusion that Tania needs to move to make space for polar bear Olinka from Wenen, who Eric, the male bear, knows very well from his youth. This move appears to be the best strategy to have polar bear cubs in the future.

This year not a single European zoo had any polar bear offsprings to show. Young polar bears are therefore very much desired to maintain the polar bear population in the zoos.

For Blijdorp and its fans it is a tough separation as Tania was born in the zoo. However, in the end it is for the best and Tania will leave Blijdorp in the beginning of March to make space for Olinka. Tanija will be moved temporarily to Wenen. In two years time she will have another chance with a polar bear male in Munich.

Red-faced Spider Monkey ‘Shana’ gave birth to her second young. The monkey is an endagered species and as such was added to the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP). This birth is very welcome. In 2000, Shana herself was born in Artis. She can be found with her young in the 'Kleine Zoogdierenhuis'.